Head of Financial Control

Head of Financial Control | Central London (hybrid, 2 days per week in the office) | up to £150,000 dependent on experience | 12-month maternity cover (Nov/Dec start) | PE backed Consumer business

A Head of Financial Control is required to work for a leading private equity-backed consumer business based in Central London (hybrid working, 2 days in the office), on a 12-month maternity cover contract starting in November/December. This is an opportunity to join a business with a turnover close to £400 million, that has achieved record-breaking sales in 2023 and has continued to perform exceptionally well in the market this year, resulting in multiple store openings and international expansion planned over the next 2 years.

Reporting to the Finance Director, this is a key role in the finance senior leadership team where you will be overseeing the group reporting, finance operations, finance systems, and the finance business partnering functions. You will have 3 direct reports, all operating at the senior manager level, and will have extensive interaction with senior stakeholders including both the board and shareholders.

Responsibilities include:

• Leading a team of 3 direct reports (and 20+ indirect reports) across finance operations, group reporting, finance business partnering, and finance systems
• Overseeing the internal and external reporting across 8 regions
• Ensuring robust financial controls and compliance frameworks are adhered to across the group and continuously looking at ways to drive efficiencies
• Overseeing the group treasury function including cash forecasting and business cash liquidity
• Leading the finance business partnering team with oversight of the month-end close, management accounts, annual budgets & forecasts, and management of key non-finance stakeholder relationships
• Managing the finance systems team responsible for several finance business change programmes for the group
• Working with the Finance Director on a variety of key projects including a global warehousing project

Skill set required:

To be considered you must be a Qualified Accountant with extensive experience leading finance teams within a multi-site, international business. Experience working in the retail sector and for a medium-sized business (£100-£500 million turnover) is strongly preferred. You must be comfortable leading the group reporting, finance operations and budgeting and forecasting for a business of this size. You will be a proven finance leader with the ability to upskill and develop a team as well as challenge and build strong working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. You will be technically strong, have an eye for process improvement and have excellent interpersonal skills to be able to liaise and influence the wider finance team and senior management.

In return, you will be a part of the senior management team from day one in what is a high-achieving business. You will have the opportunity to work in a collaborative and fast-paced environment and be mentored by an extremely credible & knowledgeable Finance Director.